Transducer of MAS signalling

ABSTRACT

Two receptors of meiosis activating sterols designated SAM1a and SAM1b have been identified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish application nos. PA 2000 01259 filed Aug. 25, 2000 and PA 2002 00277 filed Feb. 22, 2002 and the benefit of application no. PCT/DK01/00550 filed Aug. 20, 2001, under 35 U.S.C. 120, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THIS INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to signal transducers of FF-MAS, polynucleotides coding for signalling proteins of FF-MAS, probes hybridising with nucleic acids encoding signalling proteins of FF-MAS, DNA constructs comprising a sequence encoding signalling proteins of FF-MAS, culture cell lines wherein the DNA sequence encodes signalling proteins of FF-MAS, antibodies specifically binding to signalling proteins of FF-MAS, hybridoma producing monoclonal antibodies specifically binding to signalling proteins of FF-MAS, and methods for detecting the presence of a compound having affinity to signalling proteins of FF-MAS.

BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION

[0003] Since the first IVF pregnancy was delivered in 1978, this procedure has resulted in more than a million of pregnancies and opened a vast new frontier of research and treatment for the infertile couples. Still, there is a significant need for improved infertility treatment modalities today. It is presumed that more than one out of seven couples experience problems with sub fertility or infertility.

[0004] IVF of human oocytes has become commonly used for the treatment of female and male sub fertility. The standard IVF treatment includes a hormone stimulation of the female patient. The aspirated oocyte is subsequently fertilised in vitro and cultured. Continuous efforts have been made to optimise and simplify this procedure. Nevertheless, the overall pregnancy rate has not be increased significantly over about 20% with the current treatment modalities. In a large European survey of IVF patients, it was found that 7.2 oocytes out of 11.5 aspirated oocytes per patient had undergone resumption of meiosis immediately before fertilisation, only 4.3 oocytes were fertilised and only 2.2 oocytes reached the 8-cell embryo stage after fertilisation and in vitro culture (ESHRE, Edinburgh, 1997).

[0005] Due to the very unpredictable quality of the state of the art embryos today, usually more than one embryo is being transferred to give a reasonable chance of success. Therefore, it is common to transfer 2-3 embryos (up to 5 embryos in some countries), which carries the very large side effect of multiple pregnancies with great discomfort and risk to both patient and children. Moreover, it has been estimated that the increased health care expenses due to multiple birth (twins, triplets etc.) is exceeding the entire IVF expenses.

[0006] Hence, there are several disadvantages with the current treatment.

[0007] Furthermore, weight gain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, labile mood and other patient discomforts together with patient reluctance to inject themselves are reported as disadvantages.

[0008] It is known from WO 96/00235 that certain sterol derivatives can be used for regulating meiosis. An example of such a sterol is 4,4-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-8,14,24-triene-3β-ol (hereinafter designated FF-MAS).

[0009] Hence, at present, in vitro maturation in humans has proven highly unsuccessful despite substantial interest and clinical efforts. Similarly with other mammals.

[0010] One way of trying to find compounds which effectively regulate meiosis is the use of pertinent receptors.

[0011] Receptors are defined as proteinaceous macromolecules that perform a signal transducing function upon ligand binding.

[0012] Signal tranducers (transducers of MAS-signalling) are defined as protein molecules that are directly or indirectly stimulated by a ligand/receptor interaction and transduce this signal further to other molecules and eventually leads to a change in enzymatic activity or functional state of effector molecules e.g. higher gene transcription, activation of inactive proteins or GVB in oocytes. Hence, signal transducers do not need to interact physically with the stimulating molecule. Signal transducers include, but are not limited to, kinases, phosphatases and proteases. Signal transducers are often present in the cytoplasmic compartment of the cell, but may also be found in the nucleus, attached to the plasma membrane, or associated with intracellular organelles.

[0013] The present invention does not relate to MAS receptors or to MAS-signalling proteins (transducers of MAS-signalling) which bind directly to FF-MAS as the ligand. The pharmaceutical industry in recent years has oriented its research to focus on the role of signal transducers in disease or injury and to design drugs, generally low molecular weight substances, that are capable of binding to the signal transducer. Drugs identified in this initial screen are then tested for the activity in vivo or in tissue explants. As a result, conventional techniques do not lend themselves to large-scale screening. Tissue samples or isolated cells containing the target signal transducer, for example ovarian tissue, are costly to obtain, present in limited quantity, and difficult to maintain in a functionally viable state. Additionally, it is often difficult to reliably and reproducibly administer the candidate drug to tissue samples. Screening assays using primary explants in tissue culture are undertaken in larger scale than is possible with tissue samples. However, it is more difficult to assay physiological effect and the assays are subject to interference from many sources, for example culture media or cultivation conditions. Finally, assays using signalling protein isolated from natural materials have the disadvantage that the signalling protein is subject to natural variability and suitable natural sources may not always be available. It is an object herein to provide readily reproducible, simple assay systems that can be practiced on a large scale for determining not only ligand binding but also the character of the binding as agonistic or antagonistic.

[0014] Similarly, meaningful clinical diagnosis often depends upon the assay of biologically active ligand without interference from inactive forms of the ligand, for example, ligands that have been subject to enzymatic or other processes in the test subject that change or even eliminate the activity of the ligand. Immunoassay methods are widely used in determining ligands in test samples. However, it is often quite difficult to identify antibodies that are able to discriminate between the active and inactive forms of a ligand. Signalling transducers have frequently been used in place of antibodies as analyte binding reagents. However, not all substances that bind to signal transducers are necessarily capable of inducing signal transduction, i.e., active biologically. It is an object herein to provide a method that will identify ligands in clinical test samples which are active in inducing or inhibiting signal transduction.

[0015] Cytoplasmic proteins can act as signalling molecules in cascading the stimulus from the ligand to cellular events. Various signalling protein types make use of different path ways (for example small G proteins, calcium fluxes, phospatases, and lipases), all of them resulting in changes of enzymatic activity or gene transcription. Meiotic activating sterols (hereinafter designated MAS) constitute active signalling molecules first identified in follicular fluid and in bull testicular tissue. The sterols are described by Byskov 1995 and Grøndahl et al. (Biol. Reprod. 58 (1998), 1297 et seq.) and in WO 96/00235, 96/27658, 97/00884, 98/28323, 98/54965 and 98/55498, more specifically in claim 1 thereof, as being potent activators of the meiotic process. No receptors or signalling proteins have been described to directly or indirectly signalling the meiotic effect of MAS sterols. Before this invention, the presence of the nature of a putative MAS receptor protein or a signalling protein has not previously been identified, although its presence has been suggested, for example, by Grøndahl et al. (Biol. Reprod. 62 (2000), 775 et seq.).

[0016] On Sep. 29, 2000, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of clone NT2RM2001632 was released with accession number AK022554 and on May 10, 2001, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of clone NT2RP2000448 was submitted with accession number AK027535. No utility or action was mentioned for these clones.

[0017] There remains considerable need for an isolated and purified transducer of MAS-signalling, as well as systems capable of expressing a transducer of MAS-signalling separate from other signal transducers. Further, it would be desirable to specifically identify the presence of a transducer of MAS-signalling in cells and tissues, thereby avoiding the time-consuming, complex and non-specific functional pharmacological assays. It would also be desirable to screen and develop new agonists and/or antagonists specific for a transducer of MAS-signalling for the use of antiinfertility or contraception drugs, but to date this has not been possible. Quite surprisingly, the present invention fulfils these and other related needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Now, the present invention provides the nucleotide sequence of a signal transducer of meiotic acting sterols (MAS). The present invention provides isolated and substantially pure transducers of MAS-signalling and fragments thereof. These signalling proteins have been shown to be involved in the gamete maturation process induced by 3β-hydroxy-4,4-dimethylcholest-8,14,24-triene (hereinafter designated FF-MAS), specifically inducing germinal vesicle breakdown (hereinafter designated GVB) in mouse oocyte cultured in vitro. Hence, a transducer of MAS-signalling is defined as a proteinaceous macromolecule that perform a signal transducing function stimulated by FF-MAS.

[0019] A transducer of MAS-signalling is any protein related to the protein SAM1a or SAM1b that possess the same functional characteristic upon stimulation with FF-MAS or other endogenous meiosis activating sterols, for example, 3β-hydroxycholest-8,14-diene; 3β-hydroxy-4,4-dimethylcholest-8,24-diene; and 3β-hydroxycholest-8,24-diene, or their metabolites (as ligand). Functional characteristics include binding, receptor activation, phosphorylation, and subsequent germinal vesicles breakdown (GVB) in oocytes. The amino acid sequence of SAM1a and SAM1b is stated in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, below.

[0020] Having provided such transducer of MAS-signalling in isolated or purified form, the invention also provides antibodies to the transducer of MAS-signalling, in the form of antisera and/or monoclonal antibodies.

[0021] In another aspect, the invention provides the ability to produce the transducer of MAS-signalling and polypeptides or fragments thereof by recombinant means. The expressed transducer of MAS-signalling or fragments may or may not have the biological activity of native signalling protein. Accordingly, isolated and purified polynucleotides are described which code for the signalling protein and fragment thereof, where the polynucleotides may be in the form of DNA, such as cDNA, or RNA. Based on these sequences, probes may be used to hybridise and identify these and related genes which encode transducers of MAS-signalling. The probes may be full length cDNA or as small as form 14 to 25 nucleotide, more often though from about 40 to about 50 or more nucleotides.

[0022] In related embodiments, the invention concerns DNA constructs which comprise a transcriptional promoter, a DNA sequence which encodes the signalling protein or fragment, and a transcriptional terminator, each operably linked for expression of the transducer of MAS-signalling. For expression, the construct may also contain at least one signal sequence. Further, for large-scale production, the expressed transducer of MAS-signalling may also be isolated from the cells by, for example, immunoaffinity purification.

[0023] Cells or bacteria which express the transducers of MAS-signalling may also be used to identify compounds which can alter the signalling protein-mediated metabolism of a cell. Compounds may be screened for binding to the transducer of MAS-signalling, and/or for effecting a change in transducer of MAS-signalling-mediated metabolism in the host cell. Agonists and/or antagonists of the transducers of MAS-signalling may also be screened in cell-free systems using purified transducers of MAS-signalling or binding fragments thereof for the effect on ligand/transducer of MAS-signalling interaction, or using reconstituted systems such as micelles which also provide the ability to assess metabolic changes.

[0024] In yet other embodiments, the invention relates to methods for diagnosis, where the presence of a mammalian transducer of MAS-signalling in a biological sample may be determined. For example, a monospecific antibody which specifically binds the transducer of MAS-signalling is incubated with the sample under conditions conducive to immune complex formation, which complexes are then detected, typically by means of a label such as an enzyme, fluorophore, radionuclide, chemiluminiscer, particle, or a second labelled antibody. Thus, means are provided for immunohistochemical staining of tissues, including ovarian or testicular tissues, for the subject transducer of MAS-signalling.

[0025] Based upon the similarity in sequence and the shared presence of a sterol binding domain at the protein level, the transducer of MAS-signalling of this invention can be said to belong to a novel super family of oxysterol binding proteins (hereinafter designated OSBP) recently published in J.Lipid.Res. 40 (1999), 2204. No function whatsoever in gamete maturation of either gender or regulation of any meiotic processes has been assigned to this OSBP family.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3 are the nucleotides of the cDNA from two mouse MAS signalling peptides, designated SAM1a and SAM1b, respectively, and having the amino acid sequences stated in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 7 are the nucleotides of the cDNA from two human MAS signalling peptides, designated SAM1a and SAM1b, respectively, and having the amino acid sequences stated in SEQ ID NO: 6 and SEQ ID NO: 8, respectively. SEQ ID NO: 9 through 14 are the nucleotides referred to in example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention presents the means to identify agonists and antagonists of the transducer of MAS-signalling function, said mean being isolated transducer of MAS-signalling. The term “transducer of MAS-signalling” refers to any proteins either derived from a naturally occurring transducer of MAS-signalling, or which shares significant structural and functional characteristics peculiar to a naturally occurring transducer of MAS-signalling. Such a transducer of MAS-signalling may result when regions of a naturally occurring transducer of MAS-signalling are deleted or replaced in such a manner as to yield a protein having a similar function. Homologous sequences, allelic variations, and natural mutants; induced point, deletion, and insertion mutants; alternatively expressed variants; proteins encoded by DNA which hybridise under high or low stringency conditions to nucleic acids which encode naturally occurring transducer of MAS-signalling; proteins retrieved from naturally occurring materials; and closely related proteins retrieved by antisera directed against transducer of MAS-signalling are also included.

[0028] By transducer of MAS-signalling “ligand” is meant a molecule capable of being bound by the transducer of MAS-signalling, a transducer of MAS-signalling analogue, or chimeric transducer of MAS-signalling similarly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,609, incorporated by reference herein. The molecule may be chemically synthesised or may occur in nature. Ligands may be grouped into agonists and antagonists. Agonists are those molecules whose binding to a protein induces the response pathway within a cell. Antagonists are those molecules whose binding to a protein blocks the response pathway within a cell.

[0029] By “isolated” transducer of MAS-signalling is meant to refer to transducer of MAS-signalling which is in other than its native environment such as a mammalian oocyte, including, for example, substantially pure transducer of MAS-signalling as defined herein below. More generally, isolated is meant to include transducer of MAS-signalling as a heterologous component of a cell or other system. For example, transducer of MAS-signalling may be expressed by a cell transfected with a DNA construct which encodes transducer of MAS-signalling, separated from the cell and added to micelles which contain other selected signalling proteins.

[0030] By purified transducer of MAS-signalling is meant transducer of MAS-signalling having a purity of at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferred at least 90% (w/w). Human SAM1a and SAM1b are the clones NT2RP2000448 and NT2RM2001632, respectively.

[0031] By the term “high stringency” conditions is meant conditions under which the labeled probe, i.e., an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 will hybridize with high specificity to the polynucleotide sequences to be tested containing few, preferably less than 10%, more preferred less than 5%, if any, mismatched bases. High-stringency hybridization conditions are described in, for example, Sambrook et al. 1989, “Molecular Cloning”, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

[0032] In the case of probes in the form of polynucleotides of 200 bases or more, high stringency hybridization is achieved by incubating the probe and the membrane containing target DNA or mRNA in a buffer containing 6×SSC, 10% Dextran sulphate, 1% SDS, 5× Denhardts, 50 μg/ml salmon DNA (Stratagene), and 2×10⁶ cpm/ml of the radiolabeled probe. The incubation is at 68° C. with shaking or rotation for at least 2 hours, typically overnight. The membrane is then washed in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 42° C. for 30 minutes, followed by a wash in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 68° C. for 30 minutes, then a wash in 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 68° C., and finally a wash in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 68° C. for 30 minutes. The membrane is exposed to x-ray film.

[0033] In case of oligonucleotide or polynucleotide probes 25-200 bases in length, high stringency hybridization is carried out in a solution containing 6×SSC, 0.05 M sodium phosphate (pH 6,8), 1 mM EDTA (pH 8,0), 5× Denhardts solution, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm DNA, 100 mg/ml dextran sulfate, and 180 pM of radiolabeled oligonucleotide (5×10⁵ to 1.5×10⁶ cpm/pmole). The hybridization temperature varies depending on the length of the probe. Sambrook et al. (supra, chapter 11) have described how to calculate, and experimentally verify, the conditions that will result in high-stringency hybridization. Hybridization is performed at 5-10° C. less than the T_(m), and post-hybridization washes at 5° C. below the T_(m), with the T_(m) calculated as

T _(m)=81.5−16.6(Log₁₀[Na+])+0.41(%G+C)−(600/N), where N=chain length.

[0034] Hybridization is done overnight with shaking or rotation. The membrane is then washed twice with 2×SSPE, 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes, then with 0.2×SSPE, 0.1% SDS 5° C. below the T_(m) of the probe, for 60 minutes. The membrane is exposed to x-ray film.

[0035] It is obvious for the skilled art worker to test whether a specific protein is a transducer of MAS-signalling or, in other words, whether a specific protein is an analogue of SAM1a as specified in the claims below. In the present context, the term “analogue” is intended to indicate a naturally occurring variant (including one expressed in other animal species, for example, human, monkey, mouse or rat) of the transducer of MAS-signalling or a “derivative”, i.e., a polypeptide which is derived from the native transducer of MAS-signalling by suitably modifying the DNA sequence coding for the variant, resulting in the addition of one or more amino acids at either or both the C- and N-terminal ends of the native amino acid sequence, substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native amino acid sequence, deletion of one or more amino acids at either or both ends of the native sequence or at one or more sites within the native sequence, or insertion of one or more amino acids in the native sequence.

[0036] In another aspect, the invention provides means for regulating the transducer of MAS-signalling/ligand function, and thus treating, therapeutically and/or prophylactically, a disorder which can be linked directly or indirectly to transducer of MAS-signalling or to its ligands, such as FF-MAS. By virtue of having the transducer of MAS-signalling of the invention, agonists or antagonists may be identified which stimulate or inhibit, respectively, the function of the transducer of MAS-signalling. With either agonists or antagonists, the metabolism and reactivity of cells which express the signalling protein are controlled, thereby providing a means to control meiosis in order to treat infertility or to achieve a novel principle of contraception.

[0037] Thus, the invention provides screening procedures for identifying agonists or antagonists of events mediated by the ligand/transducer of MAS-signalling function. Such screening assays may employ a wide variety of formats, depending to some extent on which aspect of the ligand or transducer of MAS-signalling interaction is targeted. For example, such assays may be designed to identify compounds which bind to the transducer of MAS-signalling and thereby block or inhibit function of the transducer of MAS-signalling. Other assays can be designed to identify compounds which can stimulate the transducer of MAS-signalling-mediated intracellular pathways. Yet other assays can be used to identify compounds which inhibit or facilitate the cellular response to the transducer of MAS-signalling.

[0038] In one functional screening assay, the initiation of fertilisation activation events are monitored in eggs which have been injected with, for example, mRNA which codes for transducer of MAS-signalling and subsequently exposed to selected compounds which are being screened, in conjunction with or apart form an appropriate ligand. See generally, Kline et al., Science 241 (1988), 464-467, incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] The screening procedure can be used to identify reagents such as antibodies which specifically bind to the transducer of MAS-signalling and substantially affect its function, for example. The antibodies may be monoclonal or polyclonal, in the form of antiserum or monospecific antibodies, such as purified antiserum or monoclonal antibodies or mixtures thereof. For administration to humans, for example, as a component of a composition for in vivo diagnosis or imaging, the antibodies are preferably substantially human to minimise immunogenicity and are in substantially pure form. By substantially human is meant generally containing at least about 70% human antibody sequence, preferably at least about 80% human, and most preferably at least about 90-95% or more of a human antibody sequence to minimise immunogenicity in humans.

[0040] Antibodies which bind to a transducer of MAS-signalling may be produced by a variety of means. The production of non-human antisera or monoclonal antibodies, for example, murine, lagomorpha equine, etc. is well known and may be accomplished by, for example, immunising the animal with the transducer of MAS-signalling molecule or a preparation containing a desired portion of the transducer of MAS-signalling molecule, such as that domain or domains which contributes to regulation. For the production of monoclonal antibodies, antibody-producing cells obtained from immunised animals are immortalised and screened, or screened first for the production of antibody which binds to the signalling protein and then immortalised. As the generation of human monoclonal antibodies to human transducer of MAS-signalling antigen may be difficult with conventional techniques, it may be desirable to transfer antigen binding regions of the non-human antibodies, for example, the F(ab′)₂ or hypervariable regions, to human constant regions (Fc) or framework regions by recombinant DNA techniques to produce substantially human molecules. Such methods are generally known in the art and are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397, and EP publications 173,494 and 239,400, which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, one may isolate DNA sequences which code for a human monoclonal antibody or portions thereof that specifically bind to the human signalling protein by screening a DNA library from human B cells according to the general protocol outlined by Huse et al., Science 246 (1989), 1275-1281, incorporated herein by reference, and then cloning and amplifying the sequences which encode the antibody (or binding fragment) of the desired specificity.

[0041] In other embodiments, the invention provides screening assays conducted in vitro with cells which express the transducer of MAS-signalling. For example, the DNA which encodes the transducer of MAS-signalling or selected portions thereof may be transfected into an established cell line, for example, a mammalian cell line such as BHK and CHO, using procedures known in the art (see, for example, Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989, which is incorporated herein by reference). The transducer of MAS-signalling is then expressed by the cultured cells, and selected agents are screened for the desired effect on the cell. Means for amplifying nucleic acid sequences which may be employed to amplify sequences encoding the signalling protein or portions thereof are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202, incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] In yet another aspect, the screening assays provided by the invention relate to transgenic mammals whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a nucleotide sequence encoding transducer of MAS-signalling or a selected portion of the transducer of MAS-signalling which, for example, contains regulatory domains. In yet a further aspect, the screening assays provided by the invention relate to transgenic mammals where the nucleotide sequence encoding a transducer of MAS-signalling is molecularly targeted to produce knock out animals with the phenotypical loss of the specific MAS signalling function. Preferentially, the molecular knock out is tissue specific to gonadal tissue (ovary or testes) and is timely controlled in the development, thus inducible. There are several means by which a sequence encoding, for example, the human transducer of MAS-signalling may be introduced into a non-human mammalian embryo or, alternatively, knocked out, some of which are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,866, Jaenisch, Science 240: 1468-1474 (1988) and Westphal et al., Annu. Rev. Cell Biol. 5: 181-196 (1989), which are incorporated herein by reference. The animal's cells then express the signalling protein and thus may be used as a convenient model for testing or screening selected agonists or antagonists.

[0043] In another aspect the invention concerns diagnostic methods and compositions. By means of having the transducer of MAS-signalling molecule and antibodies thereto, a variety of diagnostic assays are provided. For example, with antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, to the transducer of MAS-signalling, the presence and/or concentration of signalling protein in selected cells or tissues in an individual or culture of interest may be determined. These assays can be used in the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases such as, for example, male infertility, female infertility, or by means of contraception in both gender.

[0044] Numerous types of immunoassays are available and are known to those skilled in the art, for example, competitive assays, sandwich assays, and the like, as generally described in, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,285; 4,376,110; 4,016,043; 3,879,262; 3,852,157; 3,850,752; 3,839,153; 3,791,932; and Harlow and Lane, Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, N.Y. (1988), each incorporated by reference herein. In one assay format, the transducer of MAS-signalling is identified and/or quantified by using labelled antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies which are reacted with brain tissues, for example, ovarian or testicular tissue, oocyte preparations, or semen samples, and determining the specific binding thereto, the assay typically being performed under conditions conducive to immune complex formation. Unlabeled primary antibody can be used in combination with labels that are reactive with primary antibody to detect the signalling protein. For example, the primary antibody may be detected indirectly by a labelled secondary antibody made to specifically detect the primary antibody. Alternatively, the anti-transducer of MAS-signalling-antibody can be directly labelled. A wide variety of labels may be employed, such as radionuclides, particles (for example, gold, ferritin, magnetic particles, red blood cells), flourophores, chemiluminescers, enzymes, enzyme substrates, enzyme cofactors, enzyme inhibitors, and ligands (particularly haptens).

[0045] The RNA encoding the transducer of MAS-signalling may be directly detected in cells with a labelled synthetic oligonucleotide probe targeting the transducer of MAS-signalling RNA in a hybridisation procedure. Also, the polymerase chain reaction (Saiki et al., Science 239 (1988), 487, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,195, each reference is hereby incorporated by reference) may be used to amplify DNA sequences, which are subsequently detected by their characteristic size on agarose gels, Southern blot of these gels using the transducer of MAS-signalling DNA or a oligonucleotide probe, or a dot blot using similar probes. The probes may comprise from about 14 nucleotides to about 25 or more nucleotides, preferably, 40 to 60 nucleotides, and in some instances a substantial portion or even the entire cDNA of the transducer of MAS-signalling may be used. The probes are labelled with detectable signal, such as an enzyme, biotin, a radionuclide, fluorophore, chemiluminescer, and paramagnetic particle. High stringency in connection with hybridisation is obtained using the proper temperature and salt concentration.

[0046] Kits can also be supplied for use with the signalling protein of the subject invention in the detection of the presence of the signalling protein or antibodies thereto, as might be desired in the case of autoimmune disease. Thus, antibodies to the transducer of MAS-signalling, preferably monospecific antibodies such as monoclonal antibodies, or compositions of the signalling protein may be provided, usually in lyophilised form in a container, either segregated or in conjunction with additional reagents, such as anti-antibodies, labels, gene probes, polymerase chain reaction primers and polymerase, and the like.

[0047] Even more specifically, the present invention relates to an isolated and/or purified polynucleotide molecule which hybridises at high stringency to an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and which polynucleotide codes for a) a transducer of MAS-signalling; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling. This polynucleotide may be a RNA antisense sequence or a cDNA sequence. This polynucleotide may encode a polypeptide displaying Transducer of MAS-signalling activity. This polynucleotide may encode a transducer of MAS-signalling having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4. The polynucleotide may have the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0048] Furthermore, this invention relates to a probe of at least 12 nucleotides, said probe being capable of hybridising with nucleic acids which encode a Transducer of MAS-signalling. This probe may comprise an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 capable of specifically hybridising with a gene which encodes a transducer of MAS-signalling, or allelic and species variants thereof. This probe may comprise from about 40 to about 60 nucleotides in length. This probe may be labelled to provide a detectable signal. This probe may comprise the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence which hybridises at high stringency to an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and which encodes a) a transducer of MAS-signalling; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling. This DNA construct may have a DNA sequence encoding a transducer of MAS-signalling having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cultured cell line, yeast or bacteria transformed or transfected with a DNA construct which comprises a DNA sequence which hybridises at high stringency to an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and which encodes a) a transducer of MAS-signalling; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling. This cell line, yeast or bacteria may not express endogenous transducers of MAS-signalling.

[0051] The transducer of MAS-signalling, a peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof according to the present invention may be isolated and/or purified. The isolated and/or purified protein (transducer of MAS-signalling) may comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an isolated antibody which specifically binds to a transducer of MAS-signalling. In this isolated antibody said antibody may be a monoclonal antibody. This isolated antibody may block the MAS stimulated signal transduction.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody as mentioned herein.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of a compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for a transducer of MAS-signalling, comprising the steps of a) contacting the compound with the transducer of MAS-signalling, a peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof; and b) measuring the affinity of said compound for the transducer of MAS-signalling. This method for detecting the presence of transducer of MAS-signalling antagonists, may comprise the steps of a) exposing a compound in the presence of a transducer of MAS-signalling agonist to a transducer of MAS-signalling coupled to a response pathway under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling and an associated response through the pathway; and b) detecting a reduction in the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling, relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by the transducer of MAS-signalling agonist alone and there from determining the presence of a transducer of MAS-signalling antagonist. Furthermore, a method for detecting the presence of transducer of MAS-signalling agonists, may comprise the steps of a) exposing a compound in the presence of a transducer of MAS-signalling antagonist to a transducer of MAS-signalling coupled to a response pathway under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling and an associated response through the pathway; and b) detecting an increase of the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling, relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by the transducer of MAS-signalling antagonist alone and there from determining the presence of a transducer of MAS-signalling agonist.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for the transducer of MAS-signalling and which compound or salt is detected by a method described herein.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a transducer of MAS-signalling having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4, which may comprise a) growing cells, yeast or bacteria transformed or transfected with a DNA construct which comprises a DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 coding for the expression of the transducer of MAS-signalling, and b) isolating the transducer of MAS-signalling from the cells. In this method, the transducer of MAS-signalling may be isolated by immunoaffinity purification.

[0057] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit for screening a compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for a transducer of MAS-signalling, which contains the transducer of MAS-signalling, the peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof.

[0058] The transducer of MAS-signalling according to the present invention may be a soluble and purified protein which is present in a buffer suitable for detecting ligands, for example by a binding assay. The transducer of MAS-signalling being a soluble and purified protein which is present in a buffer suitable for detecting ligands, for example by a binding assay, may be different from the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 6 and 8.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a DNA construct which comprises a DNA sequence encoding a transducer of MAS-signalling as described herein or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analog thereof. The DNA construct comprises a DNA sequence encoding a transducer of MAS-signalling as defined herein or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analog thereof responding to FF-MAS may be different from the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 5 and 7. The DNA construct of the present invention may comprise the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof, or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analogue thereof. This DNA construct comprising the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof, or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analogue thereof, may be different from the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 5 and 7. The DNA construct according to the present invention may comprise the partial DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5, or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analogue thereof. This DNA construct comprising the partial DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5, or a DNA sequence coding for a functional analogue thereof may be different from the nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 5 and 7.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a recombinant expression vector which carries an inserted DNA construct according to any one of the preceding claims to a DNA construct.

[0061] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cell containing a recombinant expression vector as defined herein. This cell may contain a DNA construct as defined herein integrated in its genome. This cell may be a eukaryotic cell, in particular an insect or a mammalian cell.

[0062] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of screening for ligands to the transducer of MAS-signalling, i.e., agonists or antagonists of FF-MAS activity, the method comprising incubating a transducer of MAS-signalling as defined herein with a substance suspected to be an agonist or antagonist of FF-MAS activity, and subsequently with FF-MAS, or an analogue thereof, and detecting any function of FF-MAS, or the analogue to the transducer of MAS-signalling. Alternatively, the method of screening for ligands to the Transducer of MAS-signalling, i.e., agonists or antagonists of FF-MAS activity, may comprise incubating FF-MAS, or an analogue thereof with a substance suspected to be an agonist or antagonist of activity of FF-MAS, and subsequently with a transducer of MAS-signalling as described herein, and detecting any function of FF-MAS, or the analogue to the transducer of MAS-signalling.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a transducer of MAS-signalling as defined herein for screening for agonists or antagonists of activity of FF-MAS.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of DNA constructs as defined herein for isolation of tissue and/or organ specific variants of the transducer of MAS-signalling.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a transducer of MAS-signalling isolated as described herein.

[0066] For the sake of completeness, it is hereby noticed that this invention does not relate to anything known. In some countries, this applies analogously to that mentioned specifically in our international application No.: PCT/DK 01/00550 (WO 02/16433) published after the priority date of this application. WO 02/16433 is hereby incorporated by reference. SEQ ID NO: 1-14 herein are identical to SEQ ID NO: 1-14, respectively, in WO 02/16433.

[0067] The following examples are offered by way of illustration, not by limitation.

EXAMPLE 1

[0068] Microinjection of Phosphorothionate Oligonucleotides into Mouse Oocytes

[0069] Two antisense oligonucleotides (20 nucleotides) were utilized for microinjection: 5′-TCCACGATGGACGCCATCTT-3′ and 5′-GCCAGCAGGAGAGCCATTCG-3′, complementary to the kozak sequence of the mRNA encoded by the cDNA sequence herein designated SAM1a and SAM1b, respectively, both of which are defined in SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3, respectively, shown below. In control experiments, the corresponding sense oligonucleotides were microinjected: 5′-AAGATGGCGTCCATCGTGGA-3′ and 5′-CGAATGGCTCTCCTGCTGGC-3′ for mRNA SAM1a and SAM1b, respectively. SAM1a antisense was co-injected with SAM1b antisense from a stock solution containing 1.25 μg/μl of each nucleotide in 10% human serum albumin (hereinafter designated HSA) plus 5 mM Tris (pH value: 7.5). SAM1a sense was co-injected with SAM1b sense from a stock solution containing 1.25 μg/μl of each nucleotide in 10% HSA plus 5 mM Tris (pH value: 7.5). Approximately 12 pg of each oligonucleotide (10 pl) were injected into the cytoplasma of individual germinal vesicle (GV)-stage oocytes loaded in a droplet of alpha-MEM supplemented with 0.8% HSA and 3 mM hypoxantine under mineral oil in a 35 mm petri dish on the stage of an inverted microscope. The oocytes were obtained from the ovaries of 21-24 days old mice following 48 hours priming with follicle stimulating hormone (hereinafter designated FSH) as described by Grøndahl et al. 1998 in Biol. Reprod. 58 (1998), 1297 et seq. Oocytes were sucked on to a holding pipette (120 μM outer diameter and 20 μm inner diameter) and an injection pipette (Eppendorph, Hamburg, Germany) was fitted to a pressure microinjector (Eppendorph, Hamburg, Germany). The pipette holder was attached to a piezoelectric positioning system (Burleigh, N.Y., USA) mounted on a motorized micromanipulator (Luigs and Neumann, Ratingen, Germany). The injection pipette was pushed against the zona pelludica, and then a piezoelectric pulse was given, moving the injection pipette 20 μm forward. During this movement the pipette penetrated the zona pelludica and oolema and then a brief pressure pulse was applied to release a volume of approximately 10 μl into the oocytes cytoplasm. Injected oocytes were placed in a CO₂ incubator at 37° C. for 20 hours before resumption of meiosis was triggered by addition of 10 μM FF-MAS to the hypoxanthine containing medium. The effect of FF-MAS was evaluated after 24 hours of further incubation as the number of oocytes in germinal vesicle breakdown (hereinafter designated GVBD). The rationale for the 20 hours cultivation period following injection of antisense oligonucleotides is to allow for degradation of mRNA coding for SAM1a and SAM1b protein. Consequently, when the level of MAS receptor protein or Transducer of MAS-signalling is reduced in the oocytes, the MAS response is blunted (from 100% to 50%, vide the table below). TABLE 1 GVBD/GVBD + GV Oligonucleotide 10 μM FF-MAS (24 hours) SAM1a + SAM1b 13/25 Antisense SAM1a + SAM1b 10/10 Sense Non-injected oocytes 26/29

[0070] As shown in Table 1, GVBD was inhibited by 50% in antisense injected oocytes compared to control (i.e., sense injected and non-injected oocytes). This result indicates a selective inhibition of the mRNAs coding for SAM1a and SAM1b by the antisense probe. Furthermore, these results indicate that SAM1a and SAM1b proteins are crucial involved in the MAS signalling, since a functional knock out of de novo protein synthesis of these molecules partly disrupt the MAS signals in oocytes.

[0071] SAM1a and SAM1b are two closely related proteins originating from the same gene which possesses complementary functions regarding MAS signalling in oocytes.

EXAMPLE 2

[0072] Cloning of SAM1

[0073] A cDNA library was prepared from mRNA isolated from 10,000 oocytes, from 24 days old mice. The cDNA library was constructed in the pSPORT plasmid vector (Life Technologies). Clones were picked at random and partially sequenced, and the sequences were assembled using phred/phrap programs. Out of several thousand clones that were sequenced, an assembly of two exhibited 21% amino acids identity to a human Oxysterol Binding Protein. The longest clone MOCY2864 was completely sequenced and no identical or orthologous genes were found in the databases. This new gene was named SAM1. Amplification of the 5′ end of SAM1 cDNA was performed by PCR on the oocyte library using a primer specific for pSPORT, #176959 (SEQ ID NO: 9) and a primer specific for SAM1 #198241 (SEQ ID NO: 10).

[0074] This revealed cDNAs with two different 5′ ends, which were designated SAM1a and SAM1b. Full-length PCR amplification was done on the mouse oocyte library using primer #199772 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and #198239 (SEQ ID NO: 12) for SAM1a and #201790 (SEQ ID NO: 13) and #198239 (SEQ ID NO: 12) for SAM1b. Recognition sites for NheI and NotI, respectively, were incorporated in the primers. SAM1a and SAMb cDNAs were digested with NheI and NotI restriction enzymes and cloned into pcDNA3,1+ (Invitrogen).

[0075] DNA constructs directing the expression of SAM1a and SAM1b proteins fused to a C-terminal histidine stretch, which could be used for in purification because of its affinity to nickel-columns were made as follows. SAM1a and SAM1b cDNAs were PCR amplified using the primers #199772 (SEQ ID NO: 11) and #211465 (SEQ ID NO: 14) and primers #201790 (SEQ ID NO: 13) and #211465 (SEQ ID NO: 14), respectively. Recognition sites for NheI and XmaI, respectively, were incorporated in the primers. The PCR-products were then cloned into pBlueBac4,5V5HIS (Invitrogen) using the restriction enzymes NheI and XmaI. This intermediate construct was then digested by SmaI and BstBI, filled-in using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase1 and then religated. These construct were designated “SAM1a in pBlueBac4,5V5HIS” and “SAM1b in pBlueBac4,5V5HIS”.

[0076] SAM1 Expression in Sf9 cells

[0077] SAM1a-HIS and SAM1b-HIS proteins were expressed using recombinant Baculo virus in Sf9 cells according to the “Bac-N-Blue™ Transfection Kit” manual (Invitrogen).

[0078] To infect Sf9 insect cells 0,5 μg Bac-N-Blue™ DNA and the recombinant transfer plasmid “SAM1 in pBlueBac4,5V5HIS” (4 μg) were incubated with 1 ml Grace's Insect Media and and 20 μl Insectin-Plus Liposomes for 15 minutes, then the mixture was added to 2×10⁶ Sf9 cells in a 60 mm dish. The cells were left for 96 hours rocking at 27° C. Vira were isolated and plaque assay was performed. Putative recombinant plaques were picked and P-1 viral stocks were made. PCR analysis of recombinant viral clones was done and from positive clones high-titer viral stocks were then prepared. For large-scale SAM1a and SAM1b expression 500 ml Sf9 cells (2,0×10⁶ cells/ml) was infected with 25 ml virus (1,8×108 plaque forming units/ml) or 60 ml virus (6×10⁷ pfu/ml) for SAM1a and SAM1b, respectively. After 70 hours of incubation the cells were pelleted by centrifugation and the protein was purified.

Example 3

[0079] Purification of SAM1a and SAM1b

[0080] Purification of HIS-SAM1a and HIS-SAM1b was performed according to the manual of QIAGEN: The QIAexpressionist forth edition.

[0081] Briefly, cell cultures of SF9 insect cells (containing the construct for 6xHis-SAM1a or 6xHis-SAM1b in a baculovirus expression vector) were centrifuged, pellets were lysed by addition of lysis buffer (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 300 mM NaCl, 10 mM imidazole, pH 8) and lysozyme, sonication on ice 6×10 seconds, where after the lysates were cleared by centrifugation. Cleared lysates were incubated under mild agitation with 50% slurry of Ni-NTA agarose (QIAGEN), for binding of 6xHis-SAM1a, washed twice (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 300 mM NaCl, 20 mM imidazole, pH 8) and eluted with high concentration of imidazole (50 mM NaH₂PO₄, 300 mM NaCl, 250 mM imidazole, pH 8). Purified proteins were analysed on Coomassie (Brilliant Blue, Sigma) stained SDS-polyacrylamide gels (NuPAGE 4-12% Bis-Tris gel, Invitrogen) for evaluation of yield and purity.

1 18 1 2814 DNA mouse CDS (26)..(2194) 1 tttgttgtca ttggcggctc ccaag atg gcg tcc atc gtg gaa ggg ccg ctg 52 Met Ala Ser Ile Val Glu Gly Pro Leu 1 5 agc aaa tgg act aac gtg atg aag gga tgg cag tat cgt tgg ttc gtg 100 Ser Lys Trp Thr Asn Val Met Lys Gly Trp Gln Tyr Arg Trp Phe Val 10 15 20 25 ctg gac tac aat gca ggg ctg ctc tcc tac tac acg tcc aag gac aaa 148 Leu Asp Tyr Asn Ala Gly Leu Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Lys Asp Lys 30 35 40 atg atg aga ggc tct cga aga gga tgc gtt aga ctc aga gga gct gtg 196 Met Met Arg Gly Ser Arg Arg Gly Cys Val Arg Leu Arg Gly Ala Val 45 50 55 att ggt ata gac gac gag gac gac agc acc ttc aca atc act gtc gat 244 Ile Gly Ile Asp Asp Glu Asp Asp Ser Thr Phe Thr Ile Thr Val Asp 60 65 70 cag aaa acc ttc cac ttc cag gct cga gat gca gac gag cga gag aag 292 Gln Lys Thr Phe His Phe Gln Ala Arg Asp Ala Asp Glu Arg Glu Lys 75 80 85 tgg atc cat gcc tta gaa gaa act att ctt cgc cat act ctt cag ctt 340 Trp Ile His Ala Leu Glu Glu Thr Ile Leu Arg His Thr Leu Gln Leu 90 95 100 105 caa ggt ttg gat tca gga ttc atc ccc agt gtc caa gac ttt gat aag 388 Gln Gly Leu Asp Ser Gly Phe Ile Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe Asp Lys 110 115 120 aaa ctt acc gag gct gac gcg tac ctg cag atc ttg ata gaa caa tta 436 Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala Asp Ala Tyr Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu Gln Leu 125 130 135 aag ctt ttt gat gac aag ctt caa aat tgt aaa gat gat gaa cag aga 484 Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp Lys Leu Gln Asn Cys Lys Asp Asp Glu Gln Arg 140 145 150 aag aaa gtt gaa act ctc aaa gac aca aca aat agc atg gta gaa tca 532 Lys Lys Val Glu Thr Leu Lys Asp Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val Glu Ser 155 160 165 att aaa cac tgc att gtg ttg cta cag att gct aaa agt act att aat 580 Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr Ile Asn 170 175 180 185 cct gta gat gca ata tac cag cct agt ccc ttg gaa cct gtg atc agc 628 Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Ile Ser 190 195 200 aca atg cct tcc cag act gcc tta cct cca gaa ccc gct cag ttg tgt 676 Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Ala Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Ala Gln Leu Cys 205 210 215 aag tca gag cag cgt cca tct tcc tta cct gtt gga cct gtg tta gct 724 Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val Leu Ala 220 225 230 acc ttg gga cat cat cag act cca aca cca aat agt aca ggc agt ggg 772 Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly Ser Gly 235 240 245 aac tca cca cct agc agc agt ctg act cct ccc agc cat gtc aac ttg 820 Asn Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Pro Pro Ser His Val Asn Leu 250 255 260 265 tct cca aat aca gtc cca gag ttc tct tac tct agc agt gaa gat gag 868 Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu 270 275 280 ttc tat gat gct gat gaa ttc cat caa agt ggc tcg tcc cca aag cgc 916 Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro Lys Arg 285 290 295 tta ata gat tct tct gga tct gcc tca gtc ttg aca cac agc agc tcc 964 Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser Ser Ser 300 305 310 gga aat agc tta aaa cgc cca gat acc aca gag tct ctg aat tcc tcc 1012 Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser 315 320 325 atg tcc aat ggc aca agc gat gct gat ctt ttt gac tca cat gac gac 1060 Met Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His Asp Asp 330 335 340 345 aga gat gat gat ggg gag gct ggg tca gtg gag gag cac aag agc gtt 1108 Arg Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu Ala Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys Ser Val 350 355 360 atc atg cac ctc tta tca caa gtc agg ctg ggg atg gac ctc aca aag 1156 Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu Thr Lys 365 370 375 gta gtt ctt cca acg ttt att ctc gag aga aga tct ctg tta gaa atg 1204 Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu Glu Met 380 385 390 tat gca gac ttt ttc gca cat cca gac ctg ttc gtg agc att agt gat 1252 Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile Ser Asp 395 400 405 cag aag gat ccc agg gat cga atg gtt cag gtt gtg aaa tgg tac ctc 1300 Gln Lys Asp Pro Arg Asp Arg Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp Tyr Leu 410 415 420 425 tcg gcc ttc cat gca gga agg aga gga tcg gtg gcc aaa aag ccg tac 1348 Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg Arg Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Tyr 430 435 440 aat cct att ttg ggt gag atc ttt cag tgt cac tgg acg ttg ccg aat 1396 Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu Pro Asn 445 450 455 gat act gaa gag aac gca gag ctc gtt tca gaa ggg ccg gtt ccc tgg 1444 Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Ala Glu Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val Pro Trp 460 465 470 gtt tct aag aac agt gta aca ttt gtg gct gag caa gtt tcc cac cat 1492 Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser His His 475 480 485 ccg ccc att tca gcc ttt tat gct gag tgt ttt aac aag aag ata caa 1540 Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys Ile Gln 490 495 500 505 ttc aat gct cat atc tgg act aaa tca aaa ttc ctt ggg atg tca att 1588 Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile 510 515 520 ggg gta cac aac ata ggt cag ggc tgt gtc tcg tgt ctg gag tac gat 1636 Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Glu Tyr Asp 525 530 535 gag cac tac atc ctc acg ttc ccc aat ggc tat gga agg tct atc ctg 1684 Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser Ile Leu 540 545 550 aca gtg ccc tgg gtg gaa ttg gga gga gaa tgc aat atc aac tgc tcc 1732 Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn Cys Ser 555 560 565 aaa acg ggt tac agc gca aac atc gtc ttc cac act aag cct ttc tat 1780 Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn Ile Val Phe His Thr Lys Pro Phe Tyr 570 575 580 585 ggg ggc aag aag cac aga att act gca gag att ttt tct ccg aat gac 1828 Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro Asn Asp 590 595 600 aag aaa tcc ttc tgc tca att gaa ggg gaa tgg aat ggt atc atg tat 1876 Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Ile Met Tyr 605 610 615 gca aaa tac gca aca ggg gaa aac act gtc ttt gta gac acc aag aaa 1924 Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr Lys Lys 620 625 630 ttg cct ata atc aag aaa aag gtg agg aag ttg gaa gat cag aat gag 1972 Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln Asn Glu 635 640 645 tat gag tcc cgc agc ctt tgg aag gat gtc act ttc aat tta aaa atc 2020 Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu Lys Ile 650 655 660 665 aga gac att gat gca gca acg gaa gca aag cac aga ctt gaa gaa aga 2068 Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu Glu Arg 670 675 680 caa aga gca gaa gcc cga gaa agg aag gag aag gaa att cag tgg gag 2116 Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Glu 685 690 695 acg agg ctc ttt cac gag gat ggc gaa tgc tgg gtt tac gat gag cct 2164 Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp Glu Pro 700 705 710 tta ctg aag cgt ctt ggt gct gtg aag cat taggccgaca accgagtcca 2214 Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala Val Lys His 715 720 cacctggtga ccagggcagt aggcgtaatt aagcaacaat cgatcttcct tcaggagagc 2274 ttgtcacttc cttcttaacg cagtggttcc tatctcaggg atactggact tgacgacaca 2334 gatgaacaat taaagtggaa accgcttccc ttttctcctc tgtggcagtt acaattttga 2394 cttcaggcct gagaaaaact tcaggtttcg aaacatgaca tctcttcctt ttccagatcc 2454 catgctttga aaaatattta tagacagttc caggtctcag cttcctgtcc tctagttctg 2514 ctgttcgggc ataaaatctt tatctccagt tcatataatc ttgagtttta gatakacaca 2574 catgcgtaac agctgacagt ttttcacaag tacacccacc tgtaaatact gtakcctcag 2634 tttagaaaat tagtgcatgt atgaaaatca agtgttagga aatttcatgg tttcacctat 2694 aacctttatt ttagaattga actatgatta gattgtatct aaacctgaag tataattata 2754 tgcagtgctt cttaaggctt cataaaataa ttttccaacc tttttaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa 2814 2 723 PRT mouse 2 Met Ala Ser Ile Val Glu Gly Pro Leu Ser Lys Trp Thr Asn Val Met 1 5 10 15 Lys Gly Trp Gln Tyr Arg Trp Phe Val Leu Asp Tyr Asn Ala Gly Leu 20 25 30 Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Lys Asp Lys Met Met Arg Gly Ser Arg Arg 35 40 45 Gly Cys Val Arg Leu Arg Gly Ala Val Ile Gly Ile Asp Asp Glu Asp 50 55 60 Asp Ser Thr Phe Thr Ile Thr Val Asp Gln Lys Thr Phe His Phe Gln 65 70 75 80 Ala Arg Asp Ala Asp Glu Arg Glu Lys Trp Ile His Ala Leu Glu Glu 85 90 95 Thr Ile Leu Arg His Thr Leu Gln Leu Gln Gly Leu Asp Ser Gly Phe 100 105 110 Ile Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe Asp Lys Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala Asp Ala 115 120 125 Tyr Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu Gln Leu Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp Lys Leu 130 135 140 Gln Asn Cys Lys Asp Asp Glu Gln Arg Lys Lys Val Glu Thr Leu Lys 145 150 155 160 Asp Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu 165 170 175 Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln 180 185 190 Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Ala 195 200 205 Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Ala Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser 210 215 220 Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr 225 230 235 240 Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly Ser Gly Asn Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser 245 250 255 Leu Thr Pro Pro Ser His Val Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu 260 265 270 Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe 275 280 285 His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser 290 295 300 Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro 305 310 315 320 Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Met Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp 325 330 335 Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu Ala 340 345 350 Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln 355 360 365 Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile 370 375 380 Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His 385 390 395 400 Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Arg Asp Arg 405 410 415 Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg 420 425 430 Arg Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile 435 440 445 Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Ala Glu 450 455 460 Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr 465 470 475 480 Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr 485 490 495 Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr 500 505 510 Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln 515 520 525 Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Glu Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe 530 535 540 Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu 545 550 555 560 Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn 565 570 575 Ile Val Phe His Thr Lys Pro Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile 580 585 590 Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile 595 600 605 Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Ile Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu 610 615 620 Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys 625 630 635 640 Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp 645 650 655 Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr 660 665 670 Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu 675 680 685 Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp 690 695 700 Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala 705 710 715 720 Val Lys His 3 2534 DNA mouse CDS (37)..(1914) 3 gggcccctcc cctgagacgg cggccggccg ccgcga atg gct ctc ctg ctg gcc 54 Met Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala 1 5 gct tgc gga ggt ttg gat tca gga ttc atc ccc agt gtc caa gac ttt 102 Ala Cys Gly Gly Leu Asp Ser Gly Phe Ile Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe 10 15 20 gat aag aaa ctt acc gag gct gac gcg tac ctg cag atc ttg ata gaa 150 Asp Lys Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala Asp Ala Tyr Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu 25 30 35 caa tta aag ctt ttt gat gac aag ctt caa aat tgt aaa gat gat gaa 198 Gln Leu Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp Lys Leu Gln Asn Cys Lys Asp Asp Glu 40 45 50 cag aga aag aaa gtt gaa act ctc aaa gac aca aca aat agc atg gta 246 Gln Arg Lys Lys Val Glu Thr Leu Lys Asp Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val 55 60 65 70 gaa tca att aaa cac tgc att gtg ttg cta cag att gct aaa agt act 294 Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr 75 80 85 att aat cct gta gat gca ata tac cag cct agt ccc ttg gaa cct gtg 342 Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val 90 95 100 atc agc aca atg cct tcc cag act gcc tta cct cca gaa ccc gct cag 390 Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Ala Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Ala Gln 105 110 115 ttg tgt aag tca gag cag cgt cca tct tcc tta cct gtt gga cct gtg 438 Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val 120 125 130 tta gct acc ttg gga cat cat cag act cca aca cca aat agt aca ggc 486 Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly 135 140 145 150 agt ggg aac tca cca cct agc agc agt ctg act cct ccc agc cat gtc 534 Ser Gly Asn Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Pro Pro Ser His Val 155 160 165 aac ttg tct cca aat aca gtc cca gag ttc tct tac tct agc agt gaa 582 Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu 170 175 180 gat gag ttc tat gat gct gat gaa ttc cat caa agt ggc tcg tcc cca 630 Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro 185 190 195 aag cgc tta ata gat tct tct gga tct gcc tca gtc ttg aca cac agc 678 Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser 200 205 210 agc tcc gga aat agc tta aaa cgc cca gat acc aca gag tct ctg aat 726 Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn 215 220 225 230 tcc tcc atg tcc aat ggc aca agc gat gct gat ctt ttt gac tca cat 774 Ser Ser Met Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His 235 240 245 gac gac aga gat gat gat ggg gag gct ggg tca gtg gag gag cac aag 822 Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu Ala Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys 250 255 260 agc gtt atc atg cac ctc tta tca caa gtc agg ctg ggg atg gac ctc 870 Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu 265 270 275 aca aag gta gtt ctt cca acg ttt att ctc gag aga aga tct ctg tta 918 Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu 280 285 290 gaa atg tat gca gac ttt ttc gca cat cca gac ctg ttc gtg agc att 966 Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile 295 300 305 310 agt gat cag aag gat ccc agg gat cga atg gtt cag gtt gtg aaa tgg 1014 Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Arg Asp Arg Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp 315 320 325 tac ctc tcg gcc ttc cat gca gga agg aga gga tcg gtg gcc aaa aag 1062 Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg Arg Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys 330 335 340 ccg tac aat cct att ttg ggt gag atc ttt cag tgt cac tgg acg ttg 1110 Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu 345 350 355 ccg aat gat act gaa gag aac gca gag ctc gtt tca gaa ggg ccg gtt 1158 Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Ala Glu Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val 360 365 370 ccc tgg gtt tct aag aac agt gta aca ttt gtg gct gag caa gtt tcc 1206 Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser 375 380 385 390 cac cat ccg ccc att tca gcc ttt tat gct gag tgt ttt aac aag aag 1254 His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys 395 400 405 ata caa ttc aat gct cat atc tgg act aaa tca aaa ttc ctt ggg atg 1302 Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met 410 415 420 tca att ggg gta cac aac ata ggt cag ggc tgt gtc tcg tgt ctg gag 1350 Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Glu 425 430 435 tac gat gag cac tac atc ctc acg ttc ccc aat ggc tat gga agg tct 1398 Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser 440 445 450 atc ctg aca gtg ccc tgg gtg gaa ttg gga gga gaa tgc aat atc aac 1446 Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn 455 460 465 470 tgc tcc aaa acg ggt tac agc gca aac atc gtc ttc cac act aag cct 1494 Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn Ile Val Phe His Thr Lys Pro 475 480 485 ttc tat ggg ggc aag aag cac aga att act gca gag att ttt tct ccg 1542 Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro 490 495 500 aat gac aag aaa tcc ttc tgc tca att gaa ggg gaa tgg aat ggt atc 1590 Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Ile 505 510 515 atg tat gca aaa tac gca aca ggg gaa aac act gtc ttt gta gac acc 1638 Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr 520 525 530 aag aaa ttg cct ata atc aag aaa aag gtg agg aag ttg gaa gat cag 1686 Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln 535 540 545 550 aat gag tat gag tcc cgc agc ctt tgg aag gat gtc act ttc aat tta 1734 Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu 555 560 565 aaa atc aga gac att gat gca gca acg gaa gca aag cac aga ctt gaa 1782 Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu 570 575 580 gaa aga caa aga gca gaa gcc cga gaa agg aag gag aag gaa att cag 1830 Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln 585 590 595 tgg gag acg agg ctc ttt cac gag gat ggc gaa tgc tgg gtt tac gat 1878 Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp 600 605 610 gag cct tta ctg aag cgt ctt ggt gct gtg aag cat taggccgaca 1924 Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala Val Lys His 615 620 625 accgagtcca cacctggtga ccagggcagt aggcgtaatt aagcaacaat cgatcttcct 1984 tcaggagagc ttgtcacttc cttcttaacg cagtggttcc tatctcaggg atactggact 2044 tgacgacaca gatgaacaat taaagtggaa accgcttccc ttttctcctc tgtggcagtt 2104 acaattttga cttcaggcct gagaaaaact tcaggtttcg aaacatgaca tctcttcctt 2164 ttccagatcc catgctttga aaaatattta tagacagttc caggtctcag cttcctgtcc 2224 tctagttctg ctgttcgggc ataaaatctt tatctccagt tcatataatc ttgagtttta 2284 gatakacaca catgcgtaac agctgacagt ttttcacaag tacacccacc tgtaaatact 2344 gtakcctcag tttagaaaat tagtgcatgt atgaaaatca agtgttagga aatttcatgg 2404 tttcacctat aacctttatt ttagaattga actatgatta gattgtatct aaacctgaag 2464 tataattata tgcagtgctt cttaaggctt cataaaataa ttttccaacc tttttaaaaa 2524 aaaaaaaaaa 2534 4 626 PRT mouse 4 Met Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Cys Gly Gly Leu Asp Ser Gly Phe Ile 1 5 10 15 Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe Asp Lys Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala Asp Ala Tyr 20 25 30 Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu Gln Leu Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp Lys Leu Gln 35 40 45 Asn Cys Lys Asp Asp Glu Gln Arg Lys Lys Val Glu Thr Leu Lys Asp 50 55 60 Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln Pro 85 90 95 Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Ala Leu 100 105 110 Pro Pro Glu Pro Ala Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser Ser 115 120 125 Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr Pro 130 135 140 Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly Ser Gly Asn Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Thr Pro Pro Ser His Val Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu Phe 165 170 175 Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe His 180 185 190 Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser Ala 195 200 205 Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro Asp 210 215 220 Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Met Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp Ala 225 230 235 240 Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu Ala Gly 245 250 255 Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln Val 260 265 270 Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile Leu 275 280 285 Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His Pro 290 295 300 Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Arg Asp Arg Met 305 310 315 320 Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg Arg 325 330 335 Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile Phe 340 345 350 Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Ala Glu Leu 355 360 365 Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr Phe 370 375 380 Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr Ala 385 390 395 400 Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr Lys 405 410 415 Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln Gly 420 425 430 Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Glu Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe Pro 435 440 445 Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu Gly 450 455 460 Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn Ile 465 470 475 480 Val Phe His Thr Lys Pro Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile Thr 485 490 495 Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile Glu 500 505 510 Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Ile Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn 515 520 525 Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys Val 530 535 540 Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp Lys 545 550 555 560 Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Glu 565 570 575 Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu Arg 580 585 590 Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp Gly 595 600 605 Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala Val 610 615 620 Lys His 625 5 2840 DNA homosapien CDS (8)..(2179) 5 tcccaag atg gcg tcc atc atg gaa ggg ccg ctg agc aaa tgg act aac 49 Met Ala Ser Ile Met Glu Gly Pro Leu Ser Lys Trp Thr Asn 1 5 10 gtg atg aag ggc tgg cag tac cgt tgg ttc gtg ctg gac tac aat gca 97 Val Met Lys Gly Trp Gln Tyr Arg Trp Phe Val Leu Asp Tyr Asn Ala 15 20 25 30 gga ctg ctc tcc tac tac acg tcc aag gac aaa atg atg aga ggc tct 145 Gly Leu Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Lys Asp Lys Met Met Arg Gly Ser 35 40 45 cgc aga gga tgt gtt aga ctc aga gga gct gtg att ggt ata gac gat 193 Arg Arg Gly Cys Val Arg Leu Arg Gly Ala Val Ile Gly Ile Asp Asp 50 55 60 gag gac gac agc acc ttc aca ata act gtt gat cag aaa acc ttc cat 241 Glu Asp Asp Ser Thr Phe Thr Ile Thr Val Asp Gln Lys Thr Phe His 65 70 75 ttc cag gcc cgt gat gct gat gag cga gag aag tgg atc cat gcc tta 289 Phe Gln Ala Arg Asp Ala Asp Glu Arg Glu Lys Trp Ile His Ala Leu 80 85 90 gaa gaa aca att ctt cga cat act ctc cag ctt caa ggt ttg gat tca 337 Glu Glu Thr Ile Leu Arg His Thr Leu Gln Leu Gln Gly Leu Asp Ser 95 100 105 110 gga ttt gtt cct agt gtc caa gat ttt gat aag aaa ctt aca gaa gct 385 Gly Phe Val Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe Asp Lys Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala 115 120 125 gat gct tac cta caa atc ttg att gaa caa tta aag ctt ttt gat gac 433 Asp Ala Tyr Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu Gln Leu Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp 130 135 140 aag ctt caa aac tgc aaa gaa gat gaa cag aga aag aaa att gaa act 481 Lys Leu Gln Asn Cys Lys Glu Asp Glu Gln Arg Lys Lys Ile Glu Thr 145 150 155 ctc aaa gag aca aca aat agc atg gta gaa tca att aaa cac tgc att 529 Leu Lys Glu Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile 160 165 170 gtg ttg ctg cag att gcc aaa agt act att aat ccc gta gat gca ata 577 Val Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile 175 180 185 190 tat caa cct agt cct ttg gaa cct gtg atc agc aca atg cct tcc cag 625 Tyr Gln Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln 195 200 205 act gtg tta cct cca gaa cct gtt cag ttg tgt aag tca gag cag cgt 673 Thr Val Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Val Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg 210 215 220 cca tct tcc cta cca gtt gga cct gtg ttg gct acc ttg gga cat cat 721 Pro Ser Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His 225 230 235 cag act cct aca cca aat agt aca ggc agt ggc cat tca cca ccg agt 769 Gln Thr Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly Ser Gly His Ser Pro Pro Ser 240 245 250 agc agt ctc act tct cca agc cac gtg aac ttg tct cca aat aca gtc 817 Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Pro Ser His Val Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val 255 260 265 270 cca gag ttc tct tac tcc agc agt gaa gat gaa ttt tat gat gct gat 865 Pro Glu Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp 275 280 285 gaa ttc cat caa agt ggc tca tcc cca aag cgc tta ata gat tct tct 913 Glu Phe His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser 290 295 300 gga tct gcc tca gtc ctg aca cac agc agc tcg gga aat agt cta aaa 961 Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys 305 310 315 cgc cca gat acc aca gaa tca ctt aat tct tcc ttg tcc aat gga aca 1009 Arg Pro Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly Thr 320 325 330 agt gat gct gac ctg ttt gat tca cat gat gac aga gat gat gat gcg 1057 Ser Asp Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Ala 335 340 345 350 gag gca ggg tct gtg gag gag cac aag agc gtt atc atg cat ctc ttg 1105 Glu Ala Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu 355 360 365 tcg cag gtt aga ctt gga atg gat ctt act aag gta gtt ctt cca acg 1153 Ser Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr 370 375 380 ttt att ctt gaa aga aga tct ctt tta gaa atg tat gca gac ttt ttt 1201 Phe Ile Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe 385 390 395 gca cat ccg gac ctg ttt gtg agc att agt gac cag aag gat ccc aag 1249 Ala His Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Lys 400 405 410 gat cga atg gtt cag gtt gtg aaa tgg tac ctc tca gcc ttt cat gcg 1297 Asp Arg Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala 415 420 425 430 gga agg aaa gga tca gtt gcc aaa aag cca tac aat ccc att ttg ggc 1345 Gly Arg Lys Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly 435 440 445 gag att ttt cag tgt cat tgg aca tta cca aat gat act gaa gag aac 1393 Glu Ile Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn 450 455 460 aca gaa cta gtt tca gaa gga cca gtt ccc tgg gtt tcc aaa aac agt 1441 Thr Glu Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser 465 470 475 gta aca ttt gtg gct gag cag gtt tcc cat cat cca ccc att tca gcc 1489 Val Thr Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala 480 485 490 ttt tat gct gag tgt ttt aac aag aag ata caa ttc aat gct cat atc 1537 Phe Tyr Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile 495 500 505 510 tgg acc aaa tca aaa ttc ctt ggg atg tca att ggg gtg cac aac ata 1585 Trp Thr Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile 515 520 525 ggg cag ggc tgt gtc tca tgt cta gac tat gat gaa cat tac att ctc 1633 Gly Gln Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Asp Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu 530 535 540 aca ttc ccc aat ggc tat gga agg tct atc ctc aca gtg ccc tgg gtg 1681 Thr Phe Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val 545 550 555 gaa tta gga gga gaa tgc aat att aat tgt tcc aaa aca ggc tat agt 1729 Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser 560 565 570 gca aat atc atc ttc cac act aaa ccc ttc tat ggg ggc aag aag cac 1777 Ala Asn Ile Ile Phe His Thr Lys Pro Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His 575 580 585 590 aga att act gcc gag att ttt tct cca aat gac aag aag tct ttt tgc 1825 Arg Ile Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys 595 600 605 tca att gaa ggg gaa tgg aat ggt gtg atg tat gca aaa tat gca aca 1873 Ser Ile Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Val Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr 610 615 620 ggg gaa aat aca gtc ttt gta gat acc aag aag ttg cct ata atc aag 1921 Gly Glu Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys 625 630 635 aag aaa gtg agg aag ttg gaa gat cag aac gag tat gaa tcc cgc agc 1969 Lys Lys Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser 640 645 650 ctt tgg aag gat gtc act ttc aac tta aaa atc aga gac att gat gca 2017 Leu Trp Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala 655 660 665 670 gca act gaa gca aag cac agg ctt gaa gaa aga caa aga gca gaa gcc 2065 Ala Thr Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala 675 680 685 cga gaa agg aag gag aag gaa att cag tgg gag aca agg tta ttt cat 2113 Arg Glu Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His 690 695 700 gaa gat gga gaa tgc tgg gtt tat gat gaa cca tta ctg aaa cgt ctt 2161 Glu Asp Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu 705 710 715 ggt gct gcc aag cat tag gttggaagat gcaaagttta tacctgatga 2209 Gly Ala Ala Lys His 720 tcagggcagt aggcataatt cagcaacaaa caatcttcct ttgggagaaa cctgttcatt 2269 ccaatcttct aattacagtg gttcctatct cagggatact ggactttctg acgcagatga 2329 acaattaagg ggaaaagctt cccttttccc tctgtggcag ttacgatttt gacttcagtc 2389 ctgagaaaaa cttcaggttt tgaaaatcag atgatgtctt ctccttttcc aaacaccaca 2449 cgttgaaagc atttataaat ccaagtctga aactctgcgc tctagtactg ctgttaagat 2509 acacaacttg tttcttagtt catataatct cgggatacac acacacacac atatatatat 2569 acacacacat acgtatacac acacatacat atataaatat acctgatgcc agattttttt 2629 cataaatatt ctgcctactg taaatatggg ttcctctgag ttgttttaga aaattagcgc 2689 aatgtattaa aatcaagtgt taggaaattt catggtctta cctacaataa cttttatttt 2749 ggaattgaac tattattaaa ttgtatctaa tcctggatta cagtttaatt aattattctt 2809 agtgcttaag gcttcataaa gtaatttttc c 2840 6 723 PRT homosapien 6 Met Ala Ser Ile Met Glu Gly Pro Leu Ser Lys Trp Thr Asn Val Met 1 5 10 15 Lys Gly Trp Gln Tyr Arg Trp Phe Val Leu Asp Tyr Asn Ala Gly Leu 20 25 30 Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Thr Ser Lys Asp Lys Met Met Arg Gly Ser Arg Arg 35 40 45 Gly Cys Val Arg Leu Arg Gly Ala Val Ile Gly Ile Asp Asp Glu Asp 50 55 60 Asp Ser Thr Phe Thr Ile Thr Val Asp Gln Lys Thr Phe His Phe Gln 65 70 75 80 Ala Arg Asp Ala Asp Glu Arg Glu Lys Trp Ile His Ala Leu Glu Glu 85 90 95 Thr Ile Leu Arg His Thr Leu Gln Leu Gln Gly Leu Asp Ser Gly Phe 100 105 110 Val Pro Ser Val Gln Asp Phe Asp Lys Lys Leu Thr Glu Ala Asp Ala 115 120 125 Tyr Leu Gln Ile Leu Ile Glu Gln Leu Lys Leu Phe Asp Asp Lys Leu 130 135 140 Gln Asn Cys Lys Glu Asp Glu Gln Arg Lys Lys Ile Glu Thr Leu Lys 145 150 155 160 Glu Thr Thr Asn Ser Met Val Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu 165 170 175 Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln 180 185 190 Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Val 195 200 205 Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Val Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser 210 215 220 Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr 225 230 235 240 Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly Ser Gly His Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser 245 250 255 Leu Thr Ser Pro Ser His Val Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu 260 265 270 Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe 275 280 285 His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser 290 295 300 Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro 305 310 315 320 Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn Ser Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp 325 330 335 Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Ala Glu Ala 340 345 350 Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln 355 360 365 Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile 370 375 380 Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His 385 390 395 400 Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Lys Asp Arg 405 410 415 Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg 420 425 430 Lys Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile 435 440 445 Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Thr Glu 450 455 460 Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr 465 470 475 480 Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr 485 490 495 Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr 500 505 510 Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln 515 520 525 Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Asp Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe 530 535 540 Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu 545 550 555 560 Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn 565 570 575 Ile Ile Phe His Thr Lys Pro Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile 580 585 590 Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile 595 600 605 Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Val Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu 610 615 620 Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys 625 630 635 640 Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp 645 650 655 Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr 660 665 670 Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu 675 680 685 Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp 690 695 700 Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala 705 710 715 720 Ala Lys His 7 2457 DNA homosapien CDS (173)..(1849) 7 cggcccctac ccctgagtcc ccggggtccc ggccgccagg ccggagcgcg aatgtcgtgc 60 tcaccctgcc tccttcccgc cgccccctgg gctttttgat gacaagcttc aaaactgcaa 120 agaagatgaa cagagaaaga aaattgaaac tctcaaagag acaacaaata gc atg gta 178 Met Val 1 gaa tca att aaa cac tgc att gtg ttg ctg cag att gcc aaa agt act 226 Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys Ser Thr 5 10 15 att aat ccc gta gat gca ata tat caa cct agt cct ttg gaa cct gtg 274 Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu Pro Val 20 25 30 atc agc aca atg cct tcc cag act gtg tta cct cca gaa cct gtt cag 322 Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Val Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro Val Gln 35 40 45 50 ttg tgt aag tca gag cag cgt cca tct tcc cta cca gtt gga cct gtg 370 Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser Ser Leu Pro Val Gly Pro Val 55 60 65 ttg gct acc ttg gga cat cat cag act cct aca cca aat agt aca ggc 418 Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser Thr Gly 70 75 80 agt ggc cat tca cca ccg agt agc agt ctc act tct cca agc cac gtg 466 Ser Gly His Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Pro Ser His Val 85 90 95 aac ttg tct cca aat aca gtc cca gag ttc tct tac tcc agc agt gaa 514 Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser Ser Glu 100 105 110 gat gaa ttt tat gat gct gat gaa ttc cat caa agt ggc tca tcc cca 562 Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe His Gln Ser Gly Ser Ser Pro 115 120 125 130 aag cgc tta ata gat tct tct gga tct gcc tca gtc ctg aca cac agc 610 Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Leu Thr His Ser 135 140 145 agc tcg gga aat agt cta aaa cgc cca gat acc aca gaa tca ctt aat 658 Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu Asn 150 155 160 tct tcc ttg tcc aat gga aca agt gat gct gac ctg ttt gat tca cat 706 Ser Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp Ser His 165 170 175 gat gac aga gat gat gat gcg gag gca ggg tct gtg gag gag cac aag 754 Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Ala Glu Ala Gly Ser Val Glu Glu His Lys 180 185 190 agc gtt atc atg cat ctc ttg tcg cag gtt aga ctt gga atg gat ctt 802 Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Met Asp Leu 195 200 205 210 act aag gta gtt ctt cca acg ttt att ctt gaa aga aga tct ctt tta 850 Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser Leu Leu 215 220 225 gaa atg tat gca gac ttt ttt gca cat ccg gac ctg ttt gtg agc att 898 Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His Pro Asp Leu Phe Val Ser Ile 230 235 240 agt gac cag aag gat ccc aag gat cga atg gtt cag gtt gtg aaa tgg 946 Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Lys Asp Arg Met Val Gln Val Val Lys Trp 245 250 255 tac ctc tca gcc ttt cat gcg gga agg aaa gga tca gtt gcc aaa aag 994 Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg Lys Gly Ser Val Ala Lys Lys 260 265 270 cca tac aat ccc att ttg ggc gag att ttt cag tgt cat tgg aca tta 1042 Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile Phe Gln Cys His Trp Thr Leu 275 280 285 290 cca aat gat act gaa gag aac aca gaa cta gtt tca gaa gga cca gtt 1090 Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Thr Glu Leu Val Ser Glu Gly Pro Val 295 300 305 ccc tgg gtt tcc aaa aac agt gta aca ttt gtg gct gag cag gtt tcc 1138 Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr Phe Val Ala Glu Gln Val Ser 310 315 320 cat cat cca ccc att tca gcc ttt tat gct gag tgt ttt aac aag aag 1186 His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn Lys Lys 325 330 335 ata caa ttc aat gct cat atc tgg acc aaa tca aaa ttc ctt ggg atg 1234 Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu Gly Met 340 345 350 tca att ggg gtg cac aac ata ggg cag ggc tgt gtc tca tgt cta gac 1282 Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln Gly Cys Val Ser Cys Leu Asp 355 360 365 370 tat gat gaa cat tac att ctc aca ttc ccc aat ggc tat gga agg tct 1330 Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly Arg Ser 375 380 385 atc ctc aca gtg ccc tgg gtg gaa tta gga gga gaa tgc aat att aat 1378 Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn Ile Asn 390 395 400 tgt tcc aaa aca ggc tac agt gca aat atc atc ttc cac act aaa ccc 1426 Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn Ile Ile Phe His Thr Lys Pro 405 410 415 ttc tat ggg ggc aag aag cac aga att act gcc gag att ttt tct cca 1474 Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe Ser Pro 420 425 430 aat gac aag aag tct ttt tgc tca att gaa ggg gaa tgg aat ggt gtg 1522 Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn Gly Val 435 440 445 450 atg tat gca aaa tat gca aca ggg gaa aat aca gtc ttt gta gat acc 1570 Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Thr Val Phe Val Asp Thr 455 460 465 aag aag ttg cct ata atc aag aag aaa gtg agg aag ttg gaa gat cag 1618 Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys Val Arg Lys Leu Glu Asp Gln 470 475 480 aac gag tat gaa tcc cgc agc ctt tgg aag gat gtc act ttc aac tta 1666 Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp Lys Asp Val Thr Phe Asn Leu 485 490 495 aaa atc aga gac att gat gca gca act gaa gca aag cac agg ctt gaa 1714 Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Glu Ala Lys His Arg Leu Glu 500 505 510 gaa aga caa aga gca gaa gcc cga gaa agg aag gag aag gaa att cag 1762 Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu Ile Gln 515 520 525 530 tgg gag aca agg tta ttt cat gaa gat gga gaa tgc tgg gtt tat gat 1810 Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp Gly Glu Cys Trp Val Tyr Asp 535 540 545 gaa cca tta ctg aaa cgt ctt ggt gct gcc aag cat tag gttggaagat 1859 Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala Ala Lys His 550 555 gcaaagttta tacctgatga tcagggcagt aggcataatt cagcaacaaa caatcttcct 1919 ttgggagaaa cctgttcatt ccaatcttct aattacagtg gttcctatct cagggatact 1979 ggactttctg acgcagatga acaattaagg ggaaaagctt cccttttccc tctgtggcag 2039 ttacgatttt gacttcagtc ctgagaaaaa cttcaggttt tgaaaatcag atgatgtctt 2099 ctccttttcc aaacaccaca cgttgaaagc atttataaat ccaagtctga aactctgcgc 2159 tctagtactg ctgttaagat acacaacttg tttcttagtt catataatct cgggatacac 2219 acacacacac acatatatat acacacacat acgtatacac acacatacat atatataaat 2279 atacctgatg ccagattttt ttcataaata ttctgcctac tgtaaatatg ggttcctctg 2339 agttgtttta gaaaattagc gcaatgtatt aaaatcaagt gttaggaaat ttcatggtct 2399 tacctacaat aacttttatt ttggaattga actattatta aattgtatct aatcctgg 2457 8 558 PRT Homosapien mouse 8 Met Val Glu Ser Ile Lys His Cys Ile Val Leu Leu Gln Ile Ala Lys 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Ile Asn Pro Val Asp Ala Ile Tyr Gln Pro Ser Pro Leu Glu 20 25 30 Pro Val Ile Ser Thr Met Pro Ser Gln Thr Val Leu Pro Pro Glu Pro 35 40 45 Val Gln Leu Cys Lys Ser Glu Gln Arg Pro Ser Ser Leu Pro Val Gly 50 55 60 Pro Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Gly His His Gln Thr Pro Thr Pro Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Gly Ser Gly His Ser Pro Pro Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Pro Ser 85 90 95 His Val Asn Leu Ser Pro Asn Thr Val Pro Glu Phe Ser Tyr Ser Ser 100 105 110 Ser Glu Asp Glu Phe Tyr Asp Ala Asp Glu Phe His Gln Ser Gly Ser 115 120 125 Ser Pro Lys Arg Leu Ile Asp Ser Ser Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Leu Thr 130 135 140 His Ser Ser Ser Gly Asn Ser Leu Lys Arg Pro Asp Thr Thr Glu Ser 145 150 155 160 Leu Asn Ser Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly Thr Ser Asp Ala Asp Leu Phe Asp 165 170 175 Ser His Asp Asp Arg Asp Asp Asp Ala Glu Ala Gly Ser Val Glu Glu 180 185 190 His Lys Ser Val Ile Met His Leu Leu Ser Gln Val Arg Leu Gly Met 195 200 205 Asp Leu Thr Lys Val Val Leu Pro Thr Phe Ile Leu Glu Arg Arg Ser 210 215 220 Leu Leu Glu Met Tyr Ala Asp Phe Phe Ala His Pro Asp Leu Phe Val 225 230 235 240 Ser Ile Ser Asp Gln Lys Asp Pro Lys Asp Arg Met Val Gln Val Val 245 250 255 Lys Trp Tyr Leu Ser Ala Phe His Ala Gly Arg Lys Gly Ser Val Ala 260 265 270 Lys Lys Pro Tyr Asn Pro Ile Leu Gly Glu Ile Phe Gln Cys His Trp 275 280 285 Thr Leu Pro Asn Asp Thr Glu Glu Asn Thr Glu Leu Val Ser Glu Gly 290 295 300 Pro Val Pro Trp Val Ser Lys Asn Ser Val Thr Phe Val Ala Glu Gln 305 310 315 320 Val Ser His His Pro Pro Ile Ser Ala Phe Tyr Ala Glu Cys Phe Asn 325 330 335 Lys Lys Ile Gln Phe Asn Ala His Ile Trp Thr Lys Ser Lys Phe Leu 340 345 350 Gly Met Ser Ile Gly Val His Asn Ile Gly Gln Gly Cys Val Ser Cys 355 360 365 Leu Asp Tyr Asp Glu His Tyr Ile Leu Thr Phe Pro Asn Gly Tyr Gly 370 375 380 Arg Ser Ile Leu Thr Val Pro Trp Val Glu Leu Gly Gly Glu Cys Asn 385 390 395 400 Ile Asn Cys Ser Lys Thr Gly Tyr Ser Ala Asn Ile Ile Phe His Thr 405 410 415 Lys Pro Phe Tyr Gly Gly Lys Lys His Arg Ile Thr Ala Glu Ile Phe 420 425 430 Ser Pro Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Phe Cys Ser Ile Glu Gly Glu Trp Asn 435 440 445 Gly Val Met Tyr Ala Lys Tyr Ala Thr Gly Glu Asn Thr Val Phe Val 450 455 460 Asp Thr Lys Lys Leu Pro Ile Ile Lys Lys Lys Val Arg Lys Leu Glu 465 470 475 480 Asp Gln Asn Glu Tyr Glu Ser Arg Ser Leu Trp Lys Asp Val Thr Phe 485 490 495 Asn Leu Lys Ile Arg Asp Ile Asp Ala Ala Thr Glu Ala Lys His Arg 500 505 510 Leu Glu Glu Arg Gln Arg Ala Glu Ala Arg Glu Arg Lys Glu Lys Glu 515 520 525 Ile Gln Trp Glu Thr Arg Leu Phe His Glu Asp Gly Glu Cys Trp Val 530 535 540 Tyr Asp Glu Pro Leu Leu Lys Arg Leu Gly Ala Ala Lys His 545 550 555 9 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 9 tccacgatgg acgccatctt 20 10 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 10 gccagcagga gagccattcg 20 11 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 11 aagatggcgt ccatcgtgga 20 12 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 12 cgaatggctc tcctgctggc 20 13 21 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 13 ccaagctcta atacgactca c 21 14 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 14 ctcagccaca aatgttacac 20 15 32 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 15 ctagctagca ccatggcgtc catcgtggaa gg 32 16 35 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 16 ataagaatgc ggccgcgagg agaaaaggga agcgg 35 17 35 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 17 ctagctagca ccatggctct cctgctggcc gcttg 35 18 29 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthetic 18 cccgggcatg cttcacagca ccaagacgc 29 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule which comprises a nucleotide sequence that A) hybridises at high stringency to a probe having a sequence of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and B) encodes a) a transducer of meiosis activating sterol (MAS)-signalling activity; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence of said molecule is an RNA antisense sequence.
 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence of said molecule is a cDNA sequence.
 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence of said molecule encodes a polypeptide that is a transducer of MAS-signalling activity.
 5. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence of said molecule encodes a transducer of MAS-signalling having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO:
 4. 6. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:
 3. 7. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 12 contiguous nucleotides, where said molecule is capable of hybridising with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 8. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 7, wherein said molecule comprises 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 that are capable of specifically hybridising with a gene which encodes a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 9. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 7, wherein said molecule comprises from about 40 to about 60 nucleotides.
 10. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 7, wherein said molecule is labelled to provide a detectable signal.
 11. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 7, wherein said molecule comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:
 3. 12. An expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence which hybridises at high stringency to aprobe having a sequence of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and which encodes a) a transducer of MAS-signalling; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 13. The vector of claim 12, wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes a transducer of MAS-signalling having an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO:
 4. 14. A cell line, yeast or bacteria which contains an expression vector that comprises a nucleotide sequence which hybridises at high stringency to a probe having a sequence of 25 or more contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 and which encodes a) a transducer of MAS-signalling; or b) a regulatory domain of a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 15. The cell line, yeast or bacteria of claim 14, wherein said cell line, yeast or bacteria does not express endogenous transducers of MAS-signalling.
 16. An isolated transducer of MAS-signalling, a peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof.
 17. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 18. The isolated antibody of claim 17 wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
 19. The isolated antibody of claim 17, wherein said antibody blocks the signal transduction pathway of FF-MAS.
 20. A hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody according to claim
 17. 21. A method for detecting the presence of a compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for a transducer of MAS-signalling, said method comprising a) contacting the compound with the transducer of MAS-signalling, a peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof; and b) measuring the affinity of said compound for the transducer of MAS-signalling.
 22. A method for detecting the presence of an antagonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling, said method comprising a) exposing a compound in the presence of an agonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling to a transducer of MAS-signalling coupled to a response pathway under conditions sufficient and for a time to allow binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling and an associated response through the pathway; and b) detecting a reduction in the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by the transducer of MAS-signalling agonist alone, and therefrom determining the presence of an antagonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 23. A method for detecting the presence of an agonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling, said method comprising a) exposing a compound in the presence of a MAS antagonist to a transducer of MAS-signalling coupled to a response pathway under conditions sufficient and for a time to allow binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling and an associated response through the pathway; and b) detecting an increase of the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the compound to the transducer of MAS-signalling relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by the transducer of MAS-signalling antagonist alone, and therefrom determining the presence of an agonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 24. A compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for the transducer of MAS-signalling and which compound or salt is detected by the method according to claim
 21. 25. A method for producing a transducer of MAS-signalling having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4, said method comprising a) growing cells, yeast or bacteria containing an expression vector which comprises a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3 under conditions sufficient to express said transducer of MAS-signalling, and b) isolating the transducer of MAS-signalling expressed from said cells.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the expressed transducer of MAS-signalling is isolated by immunoaffinity purification.
 27. A kit for screening for a compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for a transducer of MAS-signalling, said kit comprising a transducer of MAS-signalling, a peptide fragment thereof or a salt thereof.
 28. A transducer of MAS-signalling which is a soluble and purified protein and which is present in a buffer suitable for detecting ligands.
 29. The transducer of MAS-signalling according to claim 28, wherein said transducer has an amino acid sequence that it is different from the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO:8.
 30. An expression vector which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a transducer of MAS-signalling or a functional analog thereof.
 31. The expression vector according to claim 30, wherein said expression vector comprises a nucleotide sequence that it is different from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO:
 7. 32. An expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment or functional analogue thereof.
 33. The expression vector of claim 32, wherein said vector comprises a nucleotide sequence that it is different from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO:
 7. 34. An expression vector which comprises a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 5 or a functional analogue thereof.
 35. The expression vector of claim 34, wherein said vector comprises a nucleotide sequence that it is different from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or SEQ ID NO:
 7. 36. A recombinant expression vector which carries an inserted DNA construct according to any one of the preceding claims to a DNA construct.
 37. A cell containing an expression vector according to claim
 12. 38. The cell of claim 37, wherein said expression vector is integrated in its genome.
 39. The cell of claim 37, wherein said cell is a eukaryotic cell.
 40. A method for detecting the presence of an agonist or antagonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling, said method comprising a) incubating a transducer of MAS-signalling with a substance suspected to be an agonist or antagonist of transducer of MAS-signalling, and subsequently with FF-MAS or an analogue thereof, and b) detecting any signalling event of FF-MAS or the analogue to the transducer of MAS-signalling and therefrom detecting the presence of said agonist or antagonist.
 41. A method for detecting the presence of an agonist or antagonist of a transducer of MAS-signalling, said method comprising a) incubating FF-MAS or an analogue thereof with a substance suspected to be an agonist or antagonist of activity of the transducer of MAS-signalling, and subsequently with a transducer of MAS-signalling, and b) detecting any signalling event of FF-MAS or the analogue thereof to the transducer of MAS-signalling and therefrom detecting the presence of said agonist or antagonist.
 42. Use of a transducer of MAS-signalling according to any one of the preceding claims to a transducer of MAS-signalling for screening for agonists or antagonist of activity of FF-MAS.
 43. Use of DNA constructs according to any one of the preceding claims to a DNA construct for isolation of tissue and/or organ specific variants of the transducer of MAS-signalling according to any one of the preceding claim to a transducer of MAS-signalling.
 44. Use of a transducer of MAS-signalling isolated according to the preceding claim for the screening of MAS agonists or antagonist.
 45. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.
 46. A compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for the transducer of MAS-signalling and which compound or salt is detected by the method according to claim
 22. 47. A compound or a salt thereof which has affinity for the transducer of MAS-signalling and which compound or salt is detected by the method according to claim
 23. 48. The cell of claim 39, wherein said eukaryotic cell is an insect cell or a mammalian cell 